Baked Fruit Oatmeal

I never thought I'd put oatmeal in the 'gourmet' category until now! This is not your 'little packet of instant oatmeal and I'm still hungry oatmeal'! This is fresh fruit and thick, rolled oats, sweetened with real maple syrup, then topped off with toasted almonds. My kids loved it and I was the world's greatest mom (in their eyes) when I made this! It probably helped that my poor kids usually get cold cereal for breakfast-oh well, I enjoyed the praise while it lasted! I think I'm going to make my own 'packets' of this and make this weekly-just add the fresh fruit and liquid ingredients and you have a delicious breakfast prepared in minutes!

4 cups fresh or frozen fruit of choice
(apples, blueberries, peaches)
4 cups old fashioned oats
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk (I used low fat)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2/3 cup maple syrup, or to taste
4 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped, toasted almonds or pecans

Preheat the oven to 375. Place your fruit evenly in a 9x13 baking dish. In a medium bowl, mix the oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Layer evenly over the fruit in your dish. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Carefully pour liquid ingredients over the oats, letting it seep through to the bottom. If desired, sprinkle a little more fruit over top and place on the middle oven rack. Bake for about 30 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. The top should be just getting brown but be sure the oats are still moist. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with chopped, toasted almonds or pecans.